SAGES

Reimagining surgical care for a healthier world

COVID-19 Update For FLS, FES, and FUSE Test Takers – Updated April 28

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SAGES has made the decision to extend FLS, FES, and FUSE Test Center closures through May 31st, 2020.

All exams scheduled during this time have been cancelled. Some test centers have already chosen to remain closed beyond May 31st. A list of those centers can be found at FLS/FES/FUSE Test Center Closings

Rescheduling

Test takers are able to log in to their test taker account at any time to reschedule their exam appointment. Many test centers will have availability starting June 1st depending on local guidelines.

Additional Testing Opportunities

We understand that once restrictions lift, demand for test appointments will be high. We are committed to providing access to the Fundamentals Exams to all prospective test takers and will be working with our test centers to increase their availability as well as scheduling several Special Onsite Testing Events (FLS) in areas where availability may be limited. Announcements regarding these events will be posted to the FLS website as they are scheduled. www.flsprogram.org

2020 ABS Applicants (FLS, FES)

For those test takers who still need FLS and/or FES certification for their American Board of Surgery (ABS) QE application, ABS will permit those affected by the cancellation of FLS and FES exams to apply for and take the QE without these certifications by the posted deadlines. For more information, please visit http://archive.mailengine1.com/csb/Public/show/fav9-1u74dh–p2vei-98bijss3  or email gsqe@absurgery.org.

2021 ABOG Applicants (FLS)

The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) candidates have until mid-December 2020 to complete FLS certification if they are completing their residency in the 2020-21 academic year and plan to begin the certification process and apply for the 2021 ABOG Specialty Qualifying Examination (QE). Application for certification for the Specialty QE is not tied to FLS status. Candidates can complete the application for the 2021 QE prior to completion of FLS certification.  The 2021 QE application should be available in September 2020. Residents are encouraged to apply as soon as the QE application becomes available. Residents should contact ABOG Exams at exams@abog.org with concerns about completing the FLS program by December 2020.

Voucher Expiration Dates

Test takers in possession of vouchers that are set to expire over the next several months can fill out the form(s) below to request a voucher extension allowing for the voucher to be used through December 31, 2020. All voucher extension requests submitted during this time will be granted.

FLS Voucher Extension Request Form

FES Voucher Extension Request Form

FUSE Voucher Extension Request Form

Fundamentals Division
FLS, FES, and FUSE Programs
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons

Phone: (310) 437-0544
Fax: (310) 424-3398
11300 W Olympic Blvd, Ste 600
Los Angeles, CA  90064

SAGES is committed to the protection and care of patients, their surgeons and staff, and all who are served by the medical community at large. For more information on the COVID-19 pandemic from the SAGES organization, please visit: https://www.sages.org/category/covid-19/

FES, FLS And FUSE Test Appointments Are Now Available For SAGES 2015!

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Testing will take place in the SAGES Annual Meeting at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center at the following times:

Wednesday, April 15  8am – 5pm
Thursday, April 16 8am – 5pm
Friday, April 17 8am – 12pm

For more information or to purchase your test voucher and schedule your appointment please click on the relevant link below:

FES –  https://www.fesprogram.org/testing-information/sages-annual-meeting-2015-2/
FLS –  https://www.flsprogram.org/testing-information/sages-annual-meeting-2015-2/
FUSE –  https://www.fuseprogram.org/testing-information/sages-annual-meeting-2015/

Read about how the FUSE Program is making surgery safer in the Wall Street Journal

For the first time ever, you can now take the FUSE exam at Surgical Education Week.  The FUSE exam will be given at The Westin Seattle on Saturday, April 25 from 8am – 6pm.  For more information please click here: https://www.fuseprogram.org/testing-information/surgical-education-week/

FLS – Celebrating a Decade of Skill-Based Surgical Education

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SAGES Celebrates the FLS Program’s 10th Anniversary

FLS Pioneered Validated Skill-Based Surgical Education
  • Ten years ago, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) launched the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgeryâ„¢ (FLS) in response to the need for formal education in the underlying principles and basic skills of laparoscopic surgery. 
  • View full article “Celebrating a Decade of Innovation in Surgical Education.”
  • “FLS’ impact on general surgery has been tremendous,” according to SAGES Past President Dr. Gerald Fried. “First of all, it did achieve its goal, and that was to standardize both a knowledge set and skills set that people had to acquire. But, more importantly, FLS introduced the verification of surgical training that has become a new model for other traditional programs.”
  • Over 9,700 surgical residents, fellows, and practicing physicians have successfully completed the FLS program.
  • The American College of Surgeons began co-sponsoring FLS in 2005 and since then more than 275 FLS on-site testing events have occurred at more than 150 different locations in the U.S. and Canada. More than 30 countries have purchased the FLS online didactics and the FLS Training System, and surgeons from more than 20 countries have taken the FLS exam.
  • In 2008, the ABS mandated that all general surgery residents seeking board certification pass the FLS exam to be eligible for the general surgery qualifying exam.
  • i5cjnvbmA major focus of the FLS program now is on the international level, with groups in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa becoming FLS trained and certified and expressing interest in making the program more widely available to their surgical constituencies.